WT Using Symbolic Interpretation to Twist Scriptures

by Sea Breeze 6 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Sea Breeze

  Does anyone know of examples where the Watchtower used symbolic interpretation to twist the plain meaning of scripture?
  
  The only one that comes to my mind right now is in Rev. 7:4

  "Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel".

  
  

  Here, the WT would have us believe that the number of those sealed are literally 144K; but supposedly "Israel" symbolically represents anointed JW's. So, the WT changes from literal reading to symbolic reading within the same verse!
  
  Can anyone think of any other examples?
  

  Thanks,
  
  - SB
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  skin

  This is one that comes to mind, when it comes to shunning wrong doers who have been spoken to by the elders. This verse is used.

  Matt 18:17

  “If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector”.

  Watchtower tell us that the "man of the nations and the tax collector” here are symbolic for disfellowshipped ones. But nowhere does the Bible support the idea that we shun people of the nations or tax collectors, even Jesus associated a lot with these people.
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  hoser

  All religions are pretty much the same. They have an agenda and twist the words in their holy book to fit their preconceived ideas.
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  Disillusioned JW

  Even in the SCI-FI TV show called "Stargate SG-1" one character told a Prior of the Ori that he (the Prior) twisted and acted against the meaning of a passage of the scriptures of the Ori.
  
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  JeffT

  Proverbs 4:18

  The Watchtower teaches that this means the Bible says that old incorrect teachings can just be changed because "the light got brighter."

  Taken in context:

  "The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
  shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
  19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
  they do not know what makes them stumble."

  It is clear this is talking about the individual gaining wisdom and maturity as he grows in his faith. In my opinion one of their most ill-begotten intrepretations as they use to excuse outright error in their past teachings - nevermind that the new teachings will in due time become old teachings.
  
  
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  smiddy3

  What about the seven trumpets of Revelation that were applied to the Conventions that started in cedar Point ohio ? in 1922 ?

  If i remember correctly ? was stated in the revelation book we studied mid week.I found that a bit hard to swallow.
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  Sea Breeze

  So, to re-phrase the excellent examples of JeffT and Smiddy:

  Proverbs 4:18

  "The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,

  shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

  19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;

  they do not know what makes them stumble."

  The Watchtower teaches that this means that old incorrect teachings can be changed because "the light keeps getting brighter." They try to say that “light” means Watchtower teachings and this supposedly explains why their teachings are constantly changing – getting brighter.

  
  

  Also:

  The Watchtower claims that the 7 trumpets in Revelation are actually seven WT conventions, starting in 1922 at Cedar Point Ohio and ending with the blast of the seventh angel which was reflected in highlights of the Bible Students’ convention in Detroit, Michigan, July 30-August 6, 1928. At that time 107 broadcasting stations were tied in to what The New York Times described as ‘the most extensive and expensive radio hook-up in history.

  The point is that once you accept the WT as God's "sole channel of communication on earth", you can make the bible say anything you want through the device known as symbolic interpretation. They stole the place of Jesus:

  Hebrews Chapter 1:

  "God, who at various times and in diverse manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets,

  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things"

  Jesus (the Word) is the sole channel of communication during the Christian era, NOT PROPHETS! And certainly not the WTBTS of New York.

  
  

  Many Thanks to JeffT, Smiddy & Skin !!!!